Deodorizing petroleum hydrocarbon distillates



Patented Sept. 23, 1930 UNITED STATES A PATENT: OFFICE LAZAR EDELEANU, OF BERLIN-CHARLOTTENBURG, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR T0 EDELEANU GESELLSCHAFT, M. B. H., O]? BERLIN, GERMANY DEODORIZING PETROLEUM HYDROCARBON DISTILLATES No Drawing. Application filed January 16, 1928,Seria1 No. 247,263, and in Germany June 1927.

of the insoluble portions resulting therefrom (after being freed from any remaining sulphur dioxide) with-dilute solutions of lead oxide, with or without t headdition of sulphur thereto, or with'or without preliminary neutralizing with alkaline solutions.

Petroleum distillates of certain origin all possess a high sulphur content and frequently a disagreeable odor, which is presumably due to the presence of some sulphur compounds. In order to improve these distillates various refining processes as described in my Patent No. 911,553 have already been emplo-yed, such as extraction with sulphuric acid. for example, without however always succeeding in obtaining the desired results in a technically and commercially satisfactory manner.

In accordance with my new process the petroleum hydrocarbons containing sulphur are subjected to the action of liquefied sulphur dioxide in the already known manner whereby a substantial part of the sulphur compounds is removed: the remaining unattacked port-ions are then treated with a dilute lead oxide solution, preferably litharge, with the result that a further portion of the residual sulphur is removed and the odor of the fraction is considerably improved. As already stated it is well known thatsulphur dioxide alone causes a marked diminutlon of the sulphur content in comparison with the starting material, but the so-called rafinate or insoluble fraction resulting therefrom, is however still possessed of a disagreeable odor (when freed from the sulphur dioxide) and analysis shows that it still contains sulphur compounds which are presumed to cause the objectionable odor of the products of commerce.

It is known that if the raffinate or the fraction insoluble in liquefied sulphur diox ide is now subjected to the action of sulphuric acid, reduction in the sulphur content can be brought about, whilst, however, the odor can only be improved to an insufiicient degree.

It is at this stage, prior to the sulphuric acid treatment and in lieu thereof, where my improved process produces its new and very desirable result by substantially eliminating the odor complained of. The treatment with a. weak alkaline solution of lead oxide,

though only diminishing the sulphur content to a slight extent, operates at once in considerably improving the odor of the fraction.

In some cases it is to be recommended to add to the alkaline lead oxide solution extremely small amounts of flowers of sulphur during the treatment of the raflinatefj whereby the precipitation of the sulphur fraction is facilitated.

The following example will illustrate the principle underlying my invention, which can of course be varied to suit individual requirements: A

A distillate of illuminating oil (originating from Upton County, Texas), boiling between 194 and 265 C. and possessing a sulphur content of 0.59% is subjected to preliminary treatment with about 85 volume percent of liquefied sulphur dioxide according to the known process. The fraction insoluble in sulphur dioxide is then freed from an adhering sulphur dioxide and shaken or a short time with about 5 volume percent of a solution of 3%Jead oxide in dilute caustic soda, and filtered or decanted. The result ing product has completely lost the .un-

pleasant odor of the original oil and analysis reveals the content of sulphur to be 0.12%.

The following schedule summarizes the results obtained from the corresponding treatment of other distillates:

Origin or Distilling kind of Odor Sulphur distillate between Smackover 206 and Before treatment unpleasantn u 0.21%

269 C After treatment satisfactory 11- luminating oil 0. 05% Hutchinson 207 and Before treatment unp1easant. 0.13%

' 260 C After treatment satisfactory illuminating oil traces Sou: Lake.. and Before treatment unpleasant 0. 10%

25 0 0 After treatment satisfactory 11- luminating oil 0. 02%

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, what I claim is:

1. Improving the properties of petroleum hydrocarbon distillates by subjecting the.

same to the known process of extraction with liquefied sulphur dioxide and treating the remaining insoluble portion (after the removing of adhering sulphur dioxide) with a dilute alkaline solution of lead oxide.

2. The process for improving the properties of petroleum hydrocarbon distillate in accordance with claim 1 in which the lead oxide solution is litharge added in very small amount.

The process for improving the properties of petroleum hydrocarbon distillates in accordance with claim 1, in which sulphur is added to the lead oxide solution. 7

4. The process of improving the odor and diminishing the sulfur content of petroleum products resulting from the extraction of petroleum distillates by means of liquefied sulfur dioxide, freeing the insoluble portion from adhering sulfur dioxide, followed by treating said insoluble portion with dilute slightly alkaline lead oxide solution.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification. I I

LAZAR EDELEANU. 

